The way you'll design a dog-free home is not the same way you'll design a household where you have Goldendoodle puppies running around.

#FACT!!!

The reason is that while a dog-free home is under no threat of pawning and scratching, a home with a dog is constantly under the pressure of making sure their fur baby isn’t destroying anything.

If you’ve ever had a pup, you know what I’m talking about.

However, for those who’re new in the business, the earlier you start preparing your home for the arrival of your newest family member, the better it is for every of the nice stuff in your house. 

In this guide, we'll show you how to create a wonderful and safe place for your dog without sacrificing your home’s aesthetics and style.  

Start with the flooring


During the hot season, tiles can provide your dog with a cool place to nap.

• Install harder surfaces to prevent pawning:

If you have a dog running around your home, you want to ensure the floor of the house is strong enough to withstand any pawning that might result from the dog’s activities. For this reason, you should avoid carpeted floors by all means. Instead, install something tougher and harder. Tough-as-nail surfaces like ceramic tiles, stained concrete, and wooden floors (hardwood specifically) are great options.

• Another reason to avoid carpeted floors:

Besides pawning, carpeted floors also store dog hair and dander in their fibers, and no matter how often you vacuum, you just can't get it all out. In some cases, the accumulation of dander and hair in and around the home’s floor might even result in some serious dog allergies for the occupants of the home.

Move on to the fabrics

For a fact, we know materials like velvet and chenille attract dog hair like a magnet, while cotton materials have zero tolerance for muddy paws.

Unfortunately, dogs, as we know them, will always shed hair (except for the unique ones like Goldendoodles) and get their paws dirty. Meaning that you cannot use any of the above-mentioned materials in your home if you have a dog around, except if you're ready to invest in ready-made slipcovers.

Thankfully, lots of manufacturers are now producing new dog-friendly performance fabrics like leather and microfiber, which are designed to resist stains, odors, and bacteria. 

Another useful tip for decorating your home in a dog-friendly manner is to match your home’s upholstery color with the color of your dog. This way, the dog’s hair will blend in with the furniture so that even if he sheds, you won’t be overly obsessed with vacuuming every day.

You’ll need a vacuum cleaner

Regardless of how tolerable the upholstery and floor of your house might be, you may not be able to keep out dog hair and dander completely, most especially If you have a dog that sheds a lot.

The solution?

You'll need to purchase a good vacuum cleaner to vacuum your home at least two times a week.

Although you can reduce the amount of shedding by brushing your dog’s hair outdoors regularly, there is no getting the hair out of the house completely without a vacuum cleaner.

Build a feeding spot

Get a carpenter to build a dog feeding spot for your furry pal to dine. If you like, you can integrate this spot into your kitchen island. 

Include a built-in elevated holder for dog bowls to avoid spills. Raised bowls also prevent your dog from eating too fast and swallowing air. Construct a built-in storage system for food, treats, medicines, extra toys, etc.

Create a Dog-Safe Environment

As you would create a child-safe environment for an active toddler, you should do the same for your dog. Do a walk-through jotting down any potential dangers. Place protective covers on electrical cables and cords. Install childproof door locks on lower cabinets to keep your dog away from cleaning products and other toxic items.

Choose the Perfect Dog Bed

As the den dwellers that they are, dogs need someplace safe to retreat and relax when they’re tired, anxious, or stressed. 

A good way to provide this is to get them a dog bed. 

However, if your dog is the type that has house training issues, then you may need to invest in an indoor crate. Inside the crates, your dog has a home to himself, away from the activities and stress of family life.